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Victoria & Abdul at Osborne

Explore Royal art and sculpture

The spectacular Durbar Room

"It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot" said Queen Victoria of Osborne House, her palatial holiday home on the Isle of Wight. Visit Victoria and Albert's private apartments, their bathing beach and children's play-cottage for an intimate glimpse of royal family life. Then stroll through the garden terraces where the stunning views across the Solent reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples.

Osborne reflects Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's passions, tastes and style. Ornate furnishings and artefacts from The Royal Collection fill rooms and corridors where Victoria entertained heads of state, inventors, princess and princesses and ruled the vast British Empire.

Winner of Gold in the Heritage Garden of the Year category and Overall Winner in the category, South and South East in Bloom 2017.

Winner of 1st place in the category of Best Large Tourist Attraction Garden, and winner of the Peggy Jarman trophy for the Best Entrant Overall, Isle of Wight in Bloom 2017.

Named 'Best place for heritage, arts and culture' at the Red Funnel My Isle of Wight awards 2017.

Dogs on lead are now allowed in certain areas of the Osborne estate - a dog walkers map shows where you are able to take your pet.

1861Tragedy Strikes

1862Swiss Cottage Museum

A museum is added near the Swiss Cottage to house the children's growing natural history collections.

1887Indian Servants

The male dormitory, first built in 1850, is extended to accommodate the Indian servants introduced to the royal household.

1890-91Indian Wing

The Durbar Wing is built to provide a large reception or dining room, as well as a private suite for the queen's youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, and her family.

1901Queen's Death

Queen Victoria dies at Osborne.

1902Given to the Nation

Against Victoria's explicit wishes, her successor, Edward VII, gives the estate to the nation.

1903-4Royal Naval College

Part of the grounds become the Royal Naval College Osborne. The ground floor of the Pavilion and the council and audience rooms are opened to the public. Other areas are converted into a convalescent home for officers.

1921College Closed

The Royal Naval College at Osborne is closed.

1954Private Rooms Revealed

Elizabeth II gives permission for Victoria and Albert's private rooms to be unlocked and opened to the public.

the perfect royal setting for any event

Take history wherever you go

Holiday in the grounds of Osborne at one of three cottages
From only

Celebrate like royalty on your special day

About us

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and places - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of empire to a Cold War bunker. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year.
The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 0744722, registered in England.

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Our target is to become completely self-funding by 2023. Our confidence in achieving this is based on our track record. During the past 10 years, our commercial income has doubled and we have raised nearly £60m in donated income.